Method and system for reducing memory faults while running an operating system

Abstract

Method and system for reducing memory faults for computer systems. In one aspect, a notification is received that indicates that a single bit error has been detected in a portion of memory of the computer system. A service program is used to isolate the portion of the memory that includes the detected single bit error by allocating the portion of memory to itself, such that the portion of memory may no longer be accessed for data reading or writing by programs running on the computer system.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to memory fault reduction in computer systems, and more particularly to the reduction of memory faults while running an operating system.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]As the use of servers for database and computer applications increases, the need also increases for robust systems that can detect failures in the system that have occurred and reduce or prevent errors and failures from occurring. One type of failure that can occur is memory errors that occur in physical memory, such as random access memory (RAM) or other types of memory. Bits of data stored in physical memory cells may be corrupted upon writing, reading, or during storage. For example, unexpected or unwanted changes in the value of a stored bit may occur somewhere in the memory when a bit suddenly and randomly changes state, resulting in errors in the data. Or, a noise pulse (electronic interference), crosstalk, or glitch in the circuits or busses of a devic...

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